According to Expedia’s annual travel trend report, more than 40 percent of travelers are expected to go “dry tripping,” a.k.a. abstaining from drinking while on vacation. And yes, for many that includes at the airport. Sure, we get that skipping the airport bar’s house red may help avoid a post-flight headache. But does traveling sans booze qualify as a trend, or is this yet another push from the NA sect to give pricy, zero-proof beverages a new place to land?
There is certainly a benefit to creating more beverage options for those who don’t wish to imbibe for any reason, and we’re happy to see their options expand. But it’s just as likely that this “trend” speaks to the larger perpetuation of wellness and self-optimization, where these up-and-coming NA brands function more as accessories than bonafide beverage options. And as long as people will pay premium prices for non-alcoholic drinks, vendors will stock them.
On this episode of the “VinePair Podcast,” Joanna and Zach discuss how airlines and hotels increasing their non-alcoholic options is being spun as a totally new form of travel. Tune in for more.
Zach is drinking: Casamara Club Fora
Joanna is drinking: DeGroff Bitter Aperitivo
